The Avaricious and Prodigal — Canto VII

Canto 7 of Inferno by Dante Alighieri

"Pape Satan, Pape Satan, Aleppe!" Thus Plutus with his clucking voice began; And that benignant Sage, who all things knew, Said, to encourage me: "Let not thy fear Harm thee; for any power that he may have Shall not prevent thy going down this crag."

Then he turned round unto that bloated lip, And said: "Be silent, thou accursed wolf; Consume within thyself with thine own rage. Not without cause is this journey to the abyss; Thus is it willed on high, where Michael wrought Vengeance upon the proud adultery."

As sails inflided by the wind collapse, Entangled, when the mast snaps suddenly; So fell to earth the cruel monster. Thus we descended into the fourth chasm, Gaining still farther on the dolesome bank Which all the evil of the universe insacks.